Effective teaching as a tool for national development

”A teacher affects eternity: he can never tell where his influence stops”-Henry Brooks Adams

If there is anything that we need in our educational system in Nigeria, it is an effective teaching. An effective teacher entices his students to learn and arouse their interest to learn. One of the problems we are having in Nigeria is lack of interest by our students to learn. This can be solved by effective teaching and a great investment in education. I believe we can get so many things right as a nation if education is one of the government’s priorities. Effective teaching will breed students who would be able to handle our national issues effectively. Nations are in need of people who can turn the tides. We can achieve a lot as a country if we can equip our students with necessary tools and by investing greatly in education.

The views of different educators on effective teaching are presented below.

” Effective teachers use a variety of strategies and a range of methods, and they change and refine these over time. They do not teach the same way and use the same instructional repertoire year after year. Effective teaching responds to individual students, school and classroom communities, and societal needs. Effective teachers alter, adjust, and change their instruction depending on who is in the classroom and the extent to which those students are achieving. Effective teachers are not so devoted to their practice that they ignore the students in front of them. Effective teachers begin with the belief that students are smart and can be enticed to learn. Reflective and accomplished teachers do not need to be controlled, managed, or strictly monitored. Such teachers are close to their students in intellectual as well as psychological ways, and they must be empowered to use their judgment to make classroom decisions. Effective teachers must adjust curriculum, methods, and pace to meet the needs of the students. Effective teachers put a priority on student needs rather than on the strictly interpreted demands of the school district curriculum guide or the year-end test. Again, to do this, teachers must have a great deal of independence.”- The flexible teacher by Leila Christenbury

“My experience is that students simply respond better and work harder and achieve more when they know that their teachers are genuinely concerned about the success of their students and the quality of the students’ lives. This can be expressed through a variety of styles and approaches; everything from the drill sergeant to the namby-pamby. It’s not how the teachers express their interest and concern for the students, it’s simply that the teacher communicates clearly with their pupils that they matter, that their success not only in class, but also in life is important, and that each and every child can and will make a significant contribution to the world. Not all teachers are loved, but then, that’s not the point. They don’t have to like us, and we don’t always have to like them.’- Four ways to be an effective educator by Kevin Bibo

” As a teacher, you need to be aware and remember the great responsibility that comes with your profession. One of your goals ought to be: Make a difference in their lives. How? Make them feel special, safe and secure when they are in your classroom. Be the positive influence in their lives. Why? You never know what your students went through before entering your classroom on a particular day or what conditions they are going home to after your class. So, just in case they are not getting enough support from home, at least you will make a difference and provide that to them. Do your job for the love of teaching and not because you feel obligated to do it. Do it for self-growth. Do it to inspire others. Do it so that your students will get the most out of what you are teaching them. Give 100% for yourself, students, parents, school and everyone who believes in you. Never give up and try your best – that’s all that you can do.”-11 habits of an effective teacher by Carrie Lam

It is worthy to note that the goal of teaching is learning. Once your students are not learning, it means you are not teaching.

I am of the opinion that once Nigerian students are learning our country is on its path to greatness.